Serena Williams landed in Sydney, hamstring injury gone

Serena WilliamsWorld number two Serena Williams has arrived in Sydney and will shake off the Christmas-New Year rust at the Medibank International. The American declared she was fully fit to start competing.

"I don’t think I have any hammy problems. I’m good, yeah," said Williams, who withdrew from the Hopman Cup citing hamstring injury.

Serena also promised to reveal her new line of tennis clothes in Melbourne, where she will be fighting for her fourth Australian Open title.

The Medibank International starts January 11th in Sydney and Serena Williams is the top seed, ahead of Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva, Vera Zvonareva and Svetlana Kuznetsova. (source: Australian Open, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Justine Henin, Eleni Daniilidou take titles at Australian Open warm-ups

Justine Henin wins Medibank InternationalEleni Daniilidou wins Moorilla Hobart International

World No.1 Justine Henin of Belgium won the Medibank International in Sydney, while world No.42 Eleni Daniilidou of Greece won the Moorilla Hobart International in Hobart.

Justine Henin won her 28th match in a row beating world No.2 Svetlana Kuznetsova 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the final of the Medibank International. It was not an easy victory for Henin, but she overcame the challenge and beat Kuznetsova for the 16th time in her career. Read more »

Injured Amelie Mauresmo, Na Li withdraw from Australian Open warmup

Amelie MauresmoNa Li

Amelie Mauresmo and Na Li have withdrawn from the Medibank International, the last major tuneup event before the Australian Open.

Mauresmo has re-injured her left thigh, while Li has a right knee injury.

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Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams won’t play Sydney's Medibank International

Medibank InternationalMaria Sharapova and Venus Williams have reorganized their schedules and decided to skip the Medibank International in Sydney.

The two former world number ones will instead prepare for the 2008 Australian Open at the J B GROUP Classic exhibition in Hong Kong which will take place from January 2-5. Apart from Sharapova and Williams, the exhibition in Hong Kong will include Daniela Hantuchova, Elena Dementieva, Ana Ivanovic, Anna Chakvetadze, Peng Shuai, and Caroline Wozniacki.

However, world’s top-ranked player Justine Henin will participate in the Sydney's tournament as the leader of the women’s draw.

The 2008 Medibank International will be held at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre from January 6-12.

Justine Henin to launch 2008 season in Sydney

Justine Henin at the Medibank InternationalAfter skipping the Australian circuit in 2007 because of personal problems, world number one Justine Henin is eager to start the upcoming tennis season at the January 6-12 Medibank International in Sydney.

“I am very excited to be returning to Sydney. As everyone knows the start of 2007 was a very difficult time for me personally and I really missed playing the Australian circuit, but this will make me even more eager to do well in January,” said the 25-year-old Belgian. “I was sad I wasn’t in Australia this year and I hope to take my revenge in a few weeks.”

Henin already won two Medibank International trophies, and in January she’ll compete for her fortieth Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title. (via On the Baseline)


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